Tag Archives: Lake Barkley

The present-day US 68/KY 80 corridor has been an important route for more than two centuries. With Canton’s modern history dating back over 200 years (not to mention the prehistoric era), it’s no wonder the main thoroughfare through this part of the county has changed a whopping five times. Evidence of all five generations of this strategic route exists today.

This was the former Silo Overlook while still in operation. Thanks to Bryan for sharing.

Prior to the Land Between The Lakes being taken over the by US Forest Service from TVA, one of the more popular attractions in the park was Silo Overlook. It was located on the shores of Lake Barkley near Honker Lake at the end of Mulberry Flat Road (GPS 36.908W, 88.016N).

The structure was an abandoned silo that rises about 40 feet from the ground. It was converted into an overlook with a wooden incline built to the top. Folks could walk up the top of the silo for beautiful views of Lake Barkley.

Grand Rivers, Kentucky, known as the “village between the lakes”, is located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley just north of Land Between The Lakes. Even though the town has only a few hundred residents, it is the premier resort town for the Kentucky Lake region.

Featuring two beautiful resorts, Lighthouse Landing and Green Turtle Bay, along with Pattis’ 1880’s Settlement, Grand Rivers is a popular vacation destination.

Lake Barkley recently turned 50. The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) built Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers in the early 1960s. The dam birthed Lake Barkley – a shallow sister of Kentucky Lake, just a few miles east of its sibling.

The breaker wall which lies on top of old US 62/641 and the Illinois Central Railroad

When Lake Barkley reaches winter pool each fall, the remains of Old Kuttawa, Kentucky emerge. A thriving town of several hundred in the early part of the 20th century, a good part of the old city is now buried under the waters of Lake Barkley.

Old Kuttawa called the Cumberland River its home, fixed on its northern shores. Founded right after the Civil War in 1866 by Ohio Governor Charles Anderson, who served a short five-month term as the head of the state, the origin of the town’s name is disputed.

We can’t get enough of historical photos, especially those that show such drastic change. Recently we found these photos on the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Flickr album. We selected three of our favorites, but you can see the entire album on their Flickr.

Members of the media were invited out today to see a significant archaeological dig at the site of the new Lake Barkley Bridge in Canton. Having an interest in archaeology and history myself, I made a special point to attend this question and answer session with local and state archaeologists.